Month: March 2020

Penny and Penelope

Penny and PenelopePenny and Penelope by Claire Almon, Dan Richards
Published by Imprint on August 6, 2019
ISBN: 1250156076
Pages: 34
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

In this story, two friends have a playdate with their Penelope dolls. Penny and Penelope couldn’t be more different: one is a secret agent, one is a princess. The friends also have different ideas about what adventure the dolls should go on. Should they have a tea party? Or keep the castle safe from creatures lurking in the shadows? Should they ride ponies? Or lightning fast motorcycles? The two friends play together, and through the back and forth find a way to have their dolls work together to prevent a disaster! Imagination, play, and compromise are the main themes of Penny and Penelope. It was nice to read a story that featured some of the many different sides of girls (even if it was a little too contrived at times) and shows them resolving their different ideas through healthy communication, rather than arguments. The story has great illustrations and a nice flow which would contribute to many children selecting this book from the shelves. Penny and Penelope is best suited for students who are beginning to or enjoy picture books on their own, grades K-3.

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, SAD 17 Elementary Librarian, Oxford Hills.

three-stars

A Unicorn Named Sparkle’s First Christmas

A Unicorn Named Sparkle’s First ChristmasA Unicorn Named Sparkle's First Christmas by Amy Young
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on August 20, 2019
ISBN: 0374312109
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
two-stars

This  board book features A little girl named Lucy and her best friend Sparkle the Unicorn, Celebrating Christmas. The overall message of the book is that Christmas should not be just about getting presents, but should be a time to enjoy time spent with friends and family. For a board book I found this to be very wordy and the delivery of the message could’ve been clearer. I think this book would do well in a Kindergarten classroom during the holidays, otherwise I wouldn’t bother adding it to a collection.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

two-stars

The Favorite Book

The Favorite BookThe Favorite Book by Bethanie Deeney Murguia
Published by Candlewick Press on October 8, 2019
ISBN: 1536204463
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“The favorites we pick, the choices we make, become part of us and the path that we take.” This sweet, simple rhyming picture book gets young readers thinking about their favorite things, whether it’s colors, trees, instruments, or treats. Many children love to rattle off these favorites, but stopping to think about how and why they chose them invites an opportunity for some meaningful reflection and dialogue about how we make decisions and pick our favorite things. Is it quick and effortless, or does it require lots of careful consideration? Do we make these choices on our own, or are they influenced by others? Through simple verse and cheerful, bright illustrations, this read-aloud opens the door to potential conversations about making choices, and being true to one’s self. With so much increasing pressure and focus on academic performance, this is a great way to slow down and nurture a child’s emotional intelligence. Recommended for grades PreK-2.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

three-stars

Overview: A New Way of Seeing Earth

Overview: A New Way of Seeing EarthOverview, Young Explorer's Edition: A New Way of Seeing Earth by Benjamin Grant, Sandra Markle
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on October 29, 2019
ISBN: 1984832026
Pages: 160
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Astronauts often describe what has been named the “Overview Effect”, the sense of global interconnectedness and awareness one experiences when viewing Earth from space. Overview, originally published in 2016, returns in this abridged format for younger readers, but readers of any age will delight in stunning aerial photography and fascinating captions that offer a thrilling new perspective of the world from above. It is an utterly fascinating, informative, and at times, startling way of looking at the very BIG picture. Initial chapters focus on Mother Nature’s colorful creations, like Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, and the Great Barrier Reef. The book then progresses through the massive impact that humanity has played through agriculture, urban planning, transportation, and mining. Many of the views help readers understand their true immensity, such as the Dutch port of Rotterdam with its dozens of docked gigantic cargo ships loaded with shipping containers, each container just a colorful speck. Arguably the most haunting are the images of pollution, Amazonian deforestation, climate change, and human displacement, some with startling before and after pictures. For example, a 2011 photo shows a barren open space in Jordan, and by 2014, it is the Zaatari Camp, made up of over 80,000 displaced Syrian refugees and spanning over two square miles. Perhaps not wanting to end on such a disheartening note, the last chapter looks at human wonders, such as the pyramids of Giza, Angkor Wat, and Central Park, but the book’s biggest takeaway is that the impact that humans have on our planet is massive and undeniable. The accompanying text is descriptive, and in cases of man-made destruction, poignant without being preachy, and the pictures speak for themselves. Additional resources include information about the Maxar satellites that are responsible for the photography, the author’s Daily Overview Instagram account, a loaded bibliography, links to environmental websites, and an interesting index with coordinates of all the locations featured in the book so readers can explore them with Google Maps. Recommended for grades 4 and up, and a worthwhile addition to any elementary, middle or high school library.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

four-stars

Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars

Red Rover: Curiosity on MarsRed Rover: Curiosity on Mars by Katherine Roy, Richard Ho
Published by Roaring Brook Press on October 29, 2019
ISBN: 125019833X
Pages: 44
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Take an interplanetary journey to Mars and follow Curiosity, the NASA rover that has been scouring Mars’ surface since 2012. This delightful non-fiction picture book for young readers highlights some of the rover’s unique abilities and tools as it navigates a strange, new frontier, using its laser, camera, measuring tools, and more to send valuable data back to Earth. Roy’s illustrations are bright and immersive, giving the reader a first-hand look at the vast, richly-red terrain, and a sense of awe as a solitary little visitor from far, far away traverses through it. Ho’s narration is clever and engaging, and provides just the right amount of information for curious minds about Mars and the rover while still being effective as a read-aloud for a younger audience. For those seeking more, additional information includes a detailed anatomy page, more background information about Curiosity, brief profiles of its predecessors, and a bibliography. Highly recommended for grades K-3, and a great way to help get kids excited about the next Mars rover that is set to launch in the summer of 2020.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

four-stars

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Who Did It First?: 50 Scientists, Artists, and Mathematicians Who Revolutionized the World by Caitlin Kuhwald, Julie Leung
Published by Henry Holt & Company on October 15, 2019
ISBN: 1250211719
Pages: 128
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Representation is absolutely fundamental in terms of what we expect from our culture, and from our politics. We all want to feel represented. We want to feel seen and heard and valued.” –Riz Ahmed, First Man of Asian Descent to Win an Emmy. This is a quote that can be found boldly displayed in a two-page spread, and embodies the spirit of this unique collection of fifty profiles of diverse trailblazers in the fields of science, technology, and the arts, primarily women and people of color working against societal barriers and achieving great things. There are a few of the usual suspects like Nikola Tesla and Jane Goodall, but many names will likely be new to young readers, such Alexa Canady, the first female African American neurosurgeon, or John Herrington, the first Native American in space. Some profiles feature more specific firsts, such as Thai Lee, the first Korean woman to graduate from Harvard, or Zaha Hadid, the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The biographical summaries are no more than a page in length, accompanied by a vivid digital illustration and occasionally an inspiring quote, and serve more as a brief introduction that might inspire further research. A useful timeline at the end helps to chronologically position each figure’s accomplishments. There is also an interesting illustrator’s note which outlines the creative process for creating the illustrations found in the book. Recommended for grades 5-8, and a nice addition to a biography collection in need of some refreshing.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

four-stars

Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Start a Club By Accident

Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Start a Club By AccidentTwo Dogs in a Trench Coat Start a Club by Accident (Two Dogs in a Trench Coat, #2) by Colin Jack, Julie Falatko
Published by Scholastic on January 29, 2019
ISBN: 1338189530
Pages: 208
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

The hilarious title says it all. Sassy and Waldo are two dogs that wear a trench coat and pretend to be a new student named Salty in order to accompany their beloved owner Stewart to school, and they’re still pulling it off in the second installment of this series. While at school, they enjoy all of the fun, play, and food that elementary school has to offer a pair of dogs, especially the delights of daily hot lunch. While waiting in the cafeteria one afternoon for Stewart to finish his super boring after-school club that his parents have made him join, the Junior Office Supply Enthusiasts, the dogs inadvertently start a club called the Rover Scouts, which involves running around in circles, sniffing around the school yard, and eating lots of snacks. Suddenly all of the other kids want in, and now it’s time to to start planning their float for the Founder’s Day Parade. Amidst the abundant silliness, there is a relatable story involving Stewart finding his voice despite his parents’ pressure and choosing to join the Rover Scouts instead, but this story is less about moral lessons and more about lighthearted fun. Author Falatko isn’t afraid to push the limits of absurdity, and there is plenty of family-friendly humor, with some gags and word play that may just give the grown-ups a chuckle, while the rest will keep the kids laughing. The sketch illustrations found on every page are amusing, and the dogs are adorable and expressive. Recommended for grades 2-5.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

three-stars

Nothing Loopy About This: What Are Loops and Conditionals?

Nothing Loopy About This: What Are Loops and Conditionals?Nothing Loopy about This: What Are Loops and Conditionals? by Brian P. Cleary, Martin Goneau
Published by Millbrook Press (Tm) on January 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541533070
Pages: 24
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This playful picture book geared for younger elementary students introduces two basic but essential fundamentals of computer programming: loops and conditionals. For adults that need a mini-lesson, a loop is a repeating set of instructions, and a conditional tells a program to do something if a situation is true, and another if it is false. As kids are increasingly exposed to introductory programming through curriculum and games, it is the hope that they are laying down the groundwork for coding literacy. This simple introduction helps reinforce the concepts that kids are likely already using if they are playing with Scratch, Alice, or other programming languages for kids. The information is presented in a rhyming format with fun illustrations, such as a robot using a loop to frost thirty cupcakes or a teacher using a conditional to decide if recess will be held indoors or outdoors. This would be a great read-aloud to integrate into coding curriculum. Recommended for grades K-2.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

four-stars

Maker Comics: Create a Costume!

Maker Comics: Create a Costume!Maker Comics: Create a Costume! by Sarah Myer
Published by First Second on August 6, 2019
ISBN: 1250152089
Pages: 128
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction, Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

Friends Bea and Parker are young comic fans eagerly anticipating their first comic convention, and they’ve decided that cool costumes are a must, but they’re not sure where to begin. Readers finding themselves in a similar predicament may be relieved to discover that Costume Critter, an adorable and helpful hamster, is on the scene in this comic-format DIY guide to cosplay, costume-play as pop culture characters. Costume Critter has arrived to help guide Bea and Parker through planning and construction of 11 different costume ideas, and he even accompanies them to Comi*Con in the end to offer some useful safety and etiquette tips for first-time convention attendees. Projects include a wizard, superhero, alien, astronaut, and an animal hoodie, and serve as starting blocks for cosplayers wishing to embellish and customize the projects into their favorite characters. Techniques introduced include basic sewing machine skills, paper-mache, cardboard and foam construction, and more. The projects focus primarily on recycling and repurposing old materials to make projects more cost-accessible and environmentally-friendly, and there is a refreshing emphasis on body positivity and having fun in your own skin under your costume, despite what the character may look like.

This graphic-novel format is a creative way to appeal to a target audience of middle and high school comic and manga fans, but the actual instruction becomes a bit muddled at times in this medium. For example, necessary materials and tools are not as comprehensively outlined, and more detailed project steps, such as applying bias tape to a wizard’s robe, are not always clear. However, this and other books in the Maker Comics are worth considering if your juvenile or YA nonfiction collection is in need of some contemporary how-to guides, with added graphic appeal that might draw in new readers that would otherwise overlook this part of the collection. Recommended for grades 6-12.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

three-stars

Fearsome Giant, Fearless Child

Fearsome Giant, Fearless ChildFearsome Giant, Fearless Child: A Worldwide Jack and the Beanstalk Story by Julie Paschkis, Paul Fleischman
Published by Henry Holt & Company on April 23, 2019
ISBN: 1250151775
Pages: 40
Genres: Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Common threads can often be found in the stories that cultures tell their children, and the theme of a small child overcoming obstacles and defeating a giant monster can be found in countless folklore spanning the globe. Like Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal, which presented a global re-telling of the Cinderella story, author Paul Fleischman and illustrator Julie Paschkis reunite in another picture book that explores this concept of universal storytelling by loosely presenting one linear story but alternating page-by-page to different multicultural renditions of that story, picking up roughly where the last page left off, with captions indicating where that portion of the story can be found, such as Indonesia, France, Russia, etc. In this case, many readers will likely be familiar with the traditional story of Jack and the Beanstalk, but we are also introduced to other elements, such as a Gambian witch, a Mongolian jewel, a Chilean forest, etc. For example, the antagonist will change suddenly from an ogre to a witch, depending on where in the world the story is now taking place. If it sounds confusing, unfortunately it’s because it is, with the narrative shifting just enough between pages that make for a confusing read-aloud, with the reader likely wondering if perhaps they’ve skipped a page or if consecutive pages were misplaced. The gouache illustrations are vibrant and appealing, influenced by the cultures represented across the pages, but ultimately the execution falls a little flat as a story that can be enjoyed as a read-aloud. Grades K-2.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

two-stars